Bowling-alley.



H. V. KEEFER.

BowLmG ALLEY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNI'. 1l| 1909. 943,41 9. Patented Deo. 14, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

nuantoz attentive/13 H. V. KBEFER.

BOWLING ALLEY.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE u, 1909.

943,419. Patented Dee. 14,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. V. KEEFBR.

v BOWLING ALLEY. APPLIcATIoN FILED' JUNI: 11, 190s.

943,419. Patented Dec. 14, 1909. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v/ Ja Ja fr H/ /i f@ @f -fV' f LL ff ff @XX #museo www HENRY V. KEEFER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

BOWLING-ALLEY.

`Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14e, 1909.

Application led `Tune 11, 1909. Serial No. 501,567'.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY V. KEMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort lllayne, in the county of Allen, State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bowling-Alleys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

' clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to bowling alleys and more particularly to the class of port-- able folding' bowling alleys.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a bowling alley of this character in which the same may be set up and adapted for use in private houses and when folded will occupy a comparatively small space and at the same time making it ready and easy of handling for shipment or trans portation.

Aanother object of the invention is the provision of a bowling alley of this character which may be folded into compactform whereby it may be transported and when set up for use will be maintained at an elevation above a flooring or other foundation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bowling alley of this character, which is simple in construction, neatin appearance, efficient in operation, and inexpensive in the manufacture, and also one that is capable of being readily and easily handled for the transportation of the same.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification is illustrated the preferred form of embodiment of the invention, which to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, will be set forth at length in the following description, while the novelty of the invention will be set forth in the claim succeeding the description. d

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. F ig. et is a longitudinal sectional view. F ig. 5 is a side elevation of the alley when in folded position. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same when in this position. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the ball and tenpin collector box or receptacle.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

In the drawings, the numeral v10, designates generally the alley proper comprising a plurality of sections 1l, which latter are connected to permit the folding of one upon the other by means of hinges 12, and this alley proper may be constructed of any desirable material and each section is formed of a main rolling board 18, the latter superimposed and connected to spaced longitudinal pieces or beams 14, which are united at opposite ends to cross beams 15, and to these longitudinal beams are secured vertically disposed guard boards 16, which latter are spaced from the longitudinal edges of the board 13, to form gutters 16, at opposite sides thereof.

Carried at the under face of each section 11 of the alley proper are supporting legs or props 17, which latter are connected to the main rolling board by hinges 1S, so that the legs or props 17, may be folded inwardly against the under face of the main rolling board 13, when it is desired to fold the alley 10, for storage or transportation.. These legs 17, when folded against the main rolling board 13, will lie flush with the outer surfaces of the longitudinal beams 141, so as to not interfere or interrupt the folding together of the sections 11, of the alley proper.

Arranged at one end of the alley 10 and detachably connected at one terminal of one section 11 thereof, is a box or receptacle 19, comprising a bottom 20, a hinged back 21, adapted to fold inwardly onto the bottom and side walls 22, having upper hinged sections 23, adapted to fold inwardly subsequent to the folding of the back 21, when the boX or receptacle is in disuse. Pivotally connected to the hinged upper side sections 23, are catches or hooks 24C, the latter adapted to engage eyes 25, mounted in the back 21, so that when the latter and the hinged side sections are in upright position the same will be prevented from folding. Secured to the inner faces of the hinged back and bottom of the boX or receptacle is a padding or yieldable covering 26, to prevent rebounding of the balls upon their' entrance or reception into the boX or receptacle.

To detachably attach the box or receptacle 19 to the alley 10 proper, there are provided catch members 27, pivoted to guard boards 1G, and these catch members are adapted to engage eyes 28, mounted in the outer faces of the lower side sections of the box or receptacle.

Carried by the box or receptacle 19, and connected to its bottom 20, are hinged legs or props 9.9, which latter serve to hold the said box or receptacle in proper relation to the alley proper when in use.

Disposed at one side of the alley proper and secured to the guard boards 1G, of the sections 11, are forked brackets 30, in which latter is detachably held a trough 31, formed of two sections, the same communicating with a pocket 32, disposed atthe mouth of the alley proper and this pocket is adapted to receive the return balls subsequent to their delivery into the box or receptacle. Extending across the alley proper near the mouth thereof is an inverted U-shaped guard member 33, which indicates a foul line to the bowlers. The game of bowling upon this alley is played in the same manner and governed by the same rules as the standard bowling alley.

When the device is not in use the alley proper is folded by bringing one section 11 upon the other however prior thereto the legs or props 17, are folded inwardly against the under faces of the rolling boards 13, to permit the proper folding of the section. To maintain the sections in folded position there is provided a pivotal catch 34 mounted upon one of the sect-ions and adapted to engage an eye mounted on the other section.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the invention will be clearly apparent without the necessity of a more extended cxplanation, and therefore the same has been omitted.

T he side walls 22 of the box or receptacle 19 are extended beyond the back 21 and has detachably secured thereto a cross reinforcing bar or board 34', which latter lies against the outer face of the back 21 when in raised position so as to brace the same and support it and thus overcome any possibility of injury thereto resulting from the balls entering the box and striking the hinged back thereof.

That is claimed is A device of the class described comprising an alley formed of foldable hinged sections, legs connected near opposite ends of the sections and adapted to fold inwardly against the saine 'flush with the outer faces thereof, a detachable box, means detachably connecting the box to one end of the alley, a folding prop hinged to the bottom of said box, brackets disposed at one side of the alley, trough sections detachably mounted in the brackets, said alley containing a pocket at its mouth and communicating with the trough, and an inverted U-shaped member mounted across the alley near the mouth portion thereof.

ln testimony whereof, l affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY V. KEEFER.

vWitnesses ALBERT Knnrnn, LA VoNn C. VILLIMS. 

